Cellist Lee Sae-bom, School of Music, Clinches the First at 2025 WIC

Cellist Lee Sae-bom (age 19), a student at the School of Music, claimed first place in the cello at the 2025 Washington International Competition (WIC), which concluded in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 25 (local time).

Established in 1948, the WIC is open to musicians aged 18 through 30 not under record label contracts. The competition alternates annually among the categories of voice, piano, and strings. The composition category, initiated in 1976, is held every third year. This year, the competition was held in the strings and composition categories.

Lee Sae-bom advanced to the final after competing against 29 candidates in the semi-finals on May 23 and 24. She was one of the six finalists – two each for violin, viola, and cello – who performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on May 25. Lee performed Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Britten’s Cello Sonata, and selections from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 6, “Allemande” and “Gigue.” The first prizes in the violin and viola categories went to Kokomi (USA) and Li Zhilinliang (China), respectively. Lee Sae-bom won the cello category.

In an interview after receiving her award, Lee said, “I’m very pleased to win the WIC. It was an impressive experience, especially because I was able to fully perform the music I wanted on stage. I wish to extend my gratitude to Professor Lee Kangho, Professor Tsutsumi Tsuyoshi, and Ms. Chung Sun-yee for always guiding me to think of better musical ideas.”

Born in 2007, Lee Sae-bom debuted at the Kumho Prodigy Concert in 2020. After graduating from Yewon School, she was admitted to K-Arts as an arts prodigy. She is studying under cellists Lee Kangho, Tsutsumi Tsuyoshi, and Chung Sun-yee. Her accolades include second prize at the Dotzauer International Youth Cello Competition (2022), first prizes at the Dong-A Junior Music Competition and Sungjung Music Competition, and the 15^th Si-Hun Music Award (2023).